text: While the crude oil from a petroleum source rock is easily separated using gas chromatography and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry, the organic matter found is not soluble in the solvents used in these techniques, and thus cannot be properly analysed. Pyrolysis is used to characterise kerogens (insoluble hydrocarbons) and asphaltenes (limited solubility in common solvents). There are multiple methods of pyrolysis; fingerprinting methods - which use flash pyrolysis or rapid temperature-programmed pyrolysis - involve rapid transfer of the product to the gas chromatography tower. Rock-Eval is a commonly used process to determine the content of the source rock. Hydrous pyrolysis is performed within water and in high pressures; this method can simulate different depths of burial, demonstrating the possibilities of the fate of the source rock and the associated patroleum.